How Bahrain should embrace and regulate soaring drone technology

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Zahra Ayaz

Dubai's ambitions to implement drone deliveries by early 2024 have raised questions about Bahrain's future readiness to absorb this technological innovation.

To gain insights into Bahrain’s approach to drone utilisation, The Daily Tribune interviewed Dr. Jassim Haji, President of the International Artificial Intelligence Group.

He emphasised that the development of drones, coupled with high-end cameras utilising computer vision, is an expensive endeavour that requires specialised skills and guidance.

Additionally, it necessitates the establishment of policies and governance to ensure the safe and secure usage of this technology.

Consequently, at this stage, he does not recommend employing drones for food delivery and suggests their use for more controlled purposes.

Considerations

One of the primary considerations highlighted by Dr. Haji is the need for restrictions on various aspects of drone operations, such as the number of simultaneous activities, altitude limitations, geographical coverage, data collection and privacy policies, space restrictions, operator skills, and licencing.

These factors contribute to the challenges associated with implementing widespread drone deliveries in Bahrain.

However, Dr. Haji acknowledged that drones can serve as valuable tools for safety purposes within industrial organisations or factories, including those in the oil, gas, aluminium, and shipping sectors.

Their ability to monitor labour safety, inspect pipelines, troubleshoot, and maintain access to telecom towers, among other applications, makes them particularly advantageous in such controlled environments.

While mass production and increasing demand for drones have resulted in a reduction in their prices, Dr. Haji pointed out that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart cameras still incurs higher costs.

This aspect further underscores the need for careful consideration of the economic viability of implementing drone technology in various sectors.

Privacy and national interests

As earlier reported by The Daily Tribune, in response to concerns about privacy and national interests, the Bahraini government has taken steps to regulate drones.

A web-based drone hub system (DHS) is being implemented to ensure the public’s privacy and facilitate the import and registration of drones in the Kingdom.

Aviation Safety will oversee the DHS system, and 12 companies have qualified in the initial round of the tender to implement the system.

The Kingdom's approach to drone technology prioritises safety and control applications.

While widespread drone deliveries may not be recommended at this stage, the country recognises the value of drones in enhancing safety and efficiency in industrial sectors.

The government’s efforts to regulate drone usage demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding privacy and national interests while embracing technological advancements.